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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Polycystic liver disease
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Polycystic liver disease
by Jenifer__0__0, Jun 03, 1998 12:00AM
My mom is 65-year-old and she was diagnosed in 1993 with "liver polycystic disease". Sometimes she has pain in the liver region, nausea, dizziness, capricious appetite. Every time when she repeats the tests(ultrasound or CT scans) there was no change. This year she starts a treatment with estrogen for hot flashes. The pain was increased and after five months, she repeats the ultrasound and CT scan, and she was surprised that the number and size of cysts were increased. She did a test for echinococcosis that was negative. All the blood tests on liver function are normal. I want to know: what was the cause that increased the number(uncountable) and size of cysts and how big was the estrogen impact on these cysts? There is anything that can be done to reduce these cysts and the pain? Is there any contraindication for other medication(e.g.Trazidone)? What do you recommend doing? Can you recommend for me the best hepatolog here in Arizona, who has more experience in liver cysts?
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Dear Jenifer,
Polycystic liver disease is an inherited liver disorder that is generally benign. The liver tests are usually normal as the liver tissue itself is healthy. The tissue is simply pushed aside by these large fluid-filled cysts. Most patients have no symptoms. However, in a few cases patients may have pain and may lose weight due to the enormous size of the liver. In patients with severe pain surgical options to reduce the size of the cysts may be considered.
I am unsure whether the estrogen treatment played a role in the worsening your mother’s symptoms. However, given the timing of events, it might be advisable to carefully discuss future use of Estrogen with your physician. Since the liver itself is healthy, patients with this disease can tolerate most medications without difficulty.
If you would like further consultation we would be happy to arrange an appointment for you with one of our Hepatologists @ 313-556-8865.
This information is presented for educational purposes only. Always consult your physician for specific medical issues.
HFHSM.D.-kb
*keywords: polycystic liver disease
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